The Massive #23 (Dark Horse): Man, Brian Wood is at the top of his game. Proof: The Massive has earned Top 5 honors three months running, with #22 claiming the top spot for April.

Mind MGMT #22 (Dark Horse): My love affair with Mind MGMT continues–despite the fact that #21 earned the most ignominious monthly distinction we have to offer: The Biggest Dis(appointment) of April. Say it ain’t so, Scott! Oh, I’ve said it and written it–right here.

Mind MGMT #22

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #2 (Dark Horse): I’m not a big Star Wars guy. I was when I was a kid, though: had all the toys, put on plays based on Empire. I was always Luke; my cousin, Han. So, Star Wars-wise, this wasn’t a gimme; but it was–because of Kindt. He certainly brought his writing style to the cause, relying heavily on first person narration to sell Solo. I wasn’t particularly sold–again, ain’t my bag–until something struck me like a speeding yellow Rolls Royce! Once I saw Nick Carraway in Jan and Gatsby in Han, the story took a different shape for me. Turns out, this is the Star Wars series I’ve been looking for.

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #2

Dead Boy Detectives #6 (DC/Vertigo): #5 took us through a looking glass, now didn’t it? I just keep falling for this series!

Dead Boy Detectives #6

C.O.W.L. #1 (Image): Gates of Gotham was my first experience with Kyle Higgins. I’m willing to try another–even if the Previews description does sound a bit like Watchmen.

Sheltered #9 (Image): Hasn’t been hitting the same notes that really drew me to the book initially. And still I buy–because, I guess, I haven’t read Lord of the Flies in a while.

Southern Bastards #2 (Image): #1 was easily one of our Top Books of April. Gosh! There was so much I liked about it, and I wrote it all down just for you right here.

Southern Bastards #2

Trees #1 (Image): Warren Ellis is branching out all of a sudden, isn’t he? Moon Knight‘s been very good through three issues, which has served to grow expectations for this very different story, with its roots in… OK. I’ll stop; don’t want to get too sappy.

Trees #1

Iron Patriot #3 (Image): Ales Kot hasn’t caught me yet, but Garry Brown’s been a sure bet. Says a lot if I’m buying a book for the art.

Ms. Marvel #4 (Marvel): #3 was really, really good. C. Willow Wilson shines when she highlights Kamala Khan and her family, much in the same way Bendis made–and may still be making–magic with Miles Morales. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s following the Bendis formula, which is a pretty smart move. Biggest fear: the Inhuman connection will suck the life out of this book; it’s been a concern ever since the mist came a-rollin’ in.

Brass Sun #1 (2000 AD): I lost interest in Hinterkind pretty quickly, so Ian Edginton isn’t a must buy or a must try; but the Previews description left me trying to picture “a clockwork solar system where planets whirl on vast metal arms and the sun of cogs is worshipped as a god”–and now I want to see what it looks like! We’ll see if I.N.J. Culbard can live up to the images in my nerdy mind.

Brass Sun #1

Doc Savage Anuual 2014 (Dynamite): Annuals rarely work out well–especially when a different creative team is in charge. Speaking of charge: $5.99? Really? I can’t imagine that that much value will be added to the book to warrant a two buck bump.

The Midas Flesh #6 (BOOM!): Has gotten heavy fingered–and seriously so. The damn heavy finger has flicked away all the fun! Don’t get me wrong: I’ve enjoyed the ethical dilemma at the heart of the book; the situation surrounding it is pure gold, after all. But the dialogue’s become a real drag, its being weighed down by wheel spinning and redundancies and all. I mean, what is this? The Republic? No: The Republic actually goes somewhere. Sad to say, Ryan North’s gone a bit south. But there are only two issues left, so…

Rover Red Charlie #6 (Avatar): What a weird series, right? So many affective moments offset by the inevitable Avatar moments. You know the moments of which I speak. Which will win the day here in the finale? Hoping it’s the former. Please let it be the former.

Rover Red Charlie #6

Shadowman: End Times #2 (Valiant): OK, so I’ve erased five blurbs. Thing is, I still don’t know why I’ve followed Shadowman this far. Yeah, that might explain why we’re in the End Times.

The Twilight Zone #5 (Dynamite): The first arc was pretty sharp. Definitely Straczynski at his best. Hoping to get more of the same going forward.

Veil #1 (Dark Horse): Greg Rucka’s killing it with Lazarus and has Cyclops in his sights. On the strength of the former and in anticipation of the latter, I’m thinking that this one’s a no-brainer.

Trillium #7 (DC/Vertigo): Through six issues, Jeff Lemire has insisted that we turn the page on our own expectations. As excited as I am sad, knowing that–including this one–only two issues of Lemire’s head-spinning layouts are left!

Clone #15 (Image): Clonetopia? Yeah, probably not. David Schulner and Co. have made it clear: happy endings end rather quickly in Clone–often after a single page turn. And what terrific page turns they are: artist Juan Jose Ryp’s attention to detail is astounding–not unlike the great Geof Darrow, no?

Jupiter’s Legacy #4 (Image): If I’m remembering correctly, I thought #3 was all right–certainly enough for me to ignore my oath to pass over any Millar material no matter how shiny. We all know by now that Mark Millar’s not concerned with our experiences as readers of his fine material; he’s too busy generating new ideas like…

Starlight #1 (Image): Of course I’m going to give Mr. Millar another opportunity to frustrate the hell out of me.

Velvet #4 (Image): Brubaker and Epting are taking their time, doing their thing, which is near-perfect cinematic slow-burn espionage.

Velvet #4

Loki: Agent of Asgard #2 (Marvel): I’ve never been a fan of Thor’s corner of the Marvel Universe. Al Ewing, however, has convinced me to extend my visit to a tidy right angle.

Moon Knight #1 (Marvel): I was crushed after the most recent–and mostly crazy–run of Moon Knight–by Bendis and Maleev–came to a close. Now, Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey are in charge of the lunatic in white. Can’t wait.

Moon Knight #1

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Marvel): Maybe–just maybe–#17 was a hint; maybe it was the nudge I need. See: at the end of the issue, Cyclops kicks David Bond off the team because the new mutant fails to live up to expectations. Maybe–just maybe–I should finally cast this book aside because it hasn’t lived up to my expectations. Then again, Marco Rudy’s art looks ridiculously good. So, another possibility: Fate has kept me around long enough for this!

Afterlife With Archie #4 (Archie): The series has been so good for so many reasons. In fact, #3 was our #5 book of January–and deservedly so: Roberto Aguirre Sacasa’s storytelling–a brilliant balance of Archie and Afterlife–is top-notch, and Francesco Francavilla’s art is a perfect fit.

Afterlife With Archie #4

Archer & Armstrong #18 (Valiant): #17 was a rare sideways step for Fred Van Lente. It certainly wasn’t what we were hoping for from one of our favorite books of 2013. Wouldn’t you know: I liked #0.2014 a lot; in fact, it turned out to be one of my favorite origin issues, like, ever.

The Twilight Zone #3 (Dynamite): Has been surprisingly good. Certainly Straczynski’s best work–of the current batch, anyway. The shine, however, was taken off a bit after I read Sidekick #5. Seems Straczynski’s borrowing from himself–and he sure as heck isn’t being subtle about it! Sure, I’ve seen creators who have borrowed from themselves, usually from past work, but this is just silly: Sidekick and Twilight Zone are concurrent titles, for goodness sake! OK. OK. Wait a sec. Is this the Twilight Zone? Oh, well. Still want to see how this plays out.

Trillium #6 (DC/Vertigo): #5 was flippin’ fantastic. The balance between the two realities was rendered in a ridiculously meticulous manner. In many ways, even more impressive than #1 in execution. Can’t wait to get into this one.

Trillium #6

Lazarus #6 (Image): #5 ended on a naturally disastrous note, one that echoes still, boding a symphony of construction–of resurrection. Lucky for us, reigning master builders Rucka and Lark are a pair of heavies who always deliver as promised.

All-New Invaders #2 (Marvel): I’m sure that you’re a lot like me in thinking that it’s got to get better–that James Robinson is a lot better than his cliched riddled initial offering. Sure, I’m going to try this one; but I’m not going to suffer through growing pains just because I know in my heart it should be good; so, if it doesn’t do it for me here, I’m out.

X-Men #10.NOW (Marvel): Another one I’m down on. The series started off really well. Brian Wood affected a strong, recognizable voice; in fact, it actually sounded like an X-book, with hints of Claremont, especially in the high notes. Unfortunately, the “Battle of the Atom” smashed the title’s early momentum, leaving us with scattered neutrons, electrons, and promises.

Archer & Armstrong #0.2014 (Valiant): I’m guessing the story of Wee Obie Archer is going to buck the trend of zero-issues having zero value–if only because I expect nothing less from Fred Van Lente and Pere Perez. Yeah: no throwaway here.

Shadowman #15 (Valiant): Of all the books I get on a monthly basis, this one confounds me the most. I don’t care a lick about the characters, but for some reason I really like the series. Doesn’t hurt that Milligan and De La Torre have come together like peanut butter and chocolate. Dark, dark chocolate.

Astro City #8 (DC/Vertigo): #7 was no small Victory. It was very, very good. Bold statement of the week: Kurt Busiek’s the best storyteller in the DC stable. Is anyone even close?

Astro City #8

Suicide Squad #27 (DC): Kindt has revealed that nothing lasts Forever–including his time on Suicide Squad. I appreciate what he’s done; but when he’s done, so am I.

Indestructible #2 (IDW): There was something interesting–though not nearly indestructible–about the first one. Leaning toward passing on it. I mean, look at this list, for goodness sake! I can’t buy everything, folks!

A Voice in the Dark #3 (Image): From Larime Taylor’s mouth to our eyes. Truly remarkable. #2 was a compelling ask-questions-first-shoot-later follow-up to a dangerously drawn-out, extra-sized first issue. Expectations have crept up a notch.

Alex + Ada #3 (Image): Most of all, I love the tone of the book. There’s a sincere tension that’s undeniable–and beautiful.

Alex + Ada #3

Egos #1 (Image): Worth a shot, I suppose.

Rat Queens #4 (Image): Every page is infested with rattitude! Wiebe and Upchurch gleefully give us a mischief of grrls, a swarm of snarky sword swingers doing their very best to make it in a man’s world! It’s not much more than that, really; but it doesn’t need to be, does it? Everyone needs a book like this in his or her bag.

Velvet #3 (Image): Bit of a slow build, sure, but Brubaker can take all the time he needs; I’ll be right here with him, Steve Epting, and their gorgeously cinematic and super smooth Velvet.

All-New X-Men #21 (Marvel): Well, it certainly seems like all of my complaining about the unevenness of Bendis’s writing has finally caught up to me. OK. No, it hasn’t.

Daredevil #35 (Marvel): Loved #34. It’s a “best of,” if you think about it: everything that Waid’s done well over the course of the series is played up to some effect in the issue. I know major changes are on the way; I just hope that Waid’s approach to handling Daredevil’s duality and crafting relationships–through lively dialogue, especially (something Bendis has struggled with on the X-titles)–is not one of them.

Daredevil #35

Miracleman #1 (Marvel): I have no idea what to expect with this. I’ve never read any Miracleman–or Marvelman for that matter–but I’m certainly willing to give it a try. Might take a miracle to keep me around, though. Seriously: have you seen this list?!

Uncanny X-Men #16 (Marvel): As a whole, it’s been more engaging than All-New X-Men. Yeah, that’s not saying much.

Archer & Armstrong #17 (Valiant): One of our Top Ten titles of 2013! Can’t wait to see what Van Lente and co. have in store for us this year! If it’s more of the same, all the better!

Archer & Armstrong #17

Harbinger #20 (Valiant): Dysart’s doing with Harbinger what I wish Bendis was doing with his X-books: writing an effin’ solid team book.

Unity #3 (Valiant): If I’m being honest, I’m keeping on ’cause of Kindt. I see more potential here than in any of his Marvel and DC work, which, as a whole, has been pretty blah even as he’s brought his unique narrative style into the mainstream mix.

Curse #1 (BOOM!): Another werewolf story? I hope not. I mean, Six-Gun Gorilla wasn’t just another gorilla story, was it? No, not even close. Time to go BOOM!

Curse #1

Imagine Agents #4 (BOOM!): This rounds out the series–which I haven’t started reading yet. Oops.

God Is Dead #5 (Avatar): Definitely on the dropping block. My interest is mostly dead–especially as Hickman’s participation in the creative process comes to its inevitable end.

The Sixth Gun #37 (Oni Press): One of the best monthlies around. Writing and art of the highest caliber from Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, respectively.

Department of Monsterology #4 (Renegade): A monstrous surprise! I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Sad to see it come to a close. Gosh, I hope Gordon Rennie and P.J. Holden have something else in store for us!

Trillium # 5 (DC/Vertigo): No doubt about it: Jeff Lemire is at his best when he’s in charge of it all. So far, this series has lived up to–or, in terms of inventiveness in the first two issues, exceeded defied–expectations. In #4, he weaves worlds together, creating a flower-like fragility, only to seemingly wipe the slate–more specifically, the final panel on the final page–clean. Looking forward to another issue of haunting, wide-eyed gazes, which, in every instance, fill me to my eyeballs with well-deserved pity. I swear, Lemire’s characters can see into my soul. Come to think of it, perhaps what I see in their stares is pity–for me.

Trillium #5

Velvet #2 (Image): If you like Brubaker’s storytelling style, why wouldn’t you like this? His is a strong voice–one I happen to love–and it’s all over Velvet, which is a celebration of l’ esprit d’espionnage. Throw in Epting’s photo-realistic artwork and, as a final note, toss a tricky Templeton out a window, and you’ve got a cinematic experience worth every Moneypenny. Every bad-ass Moneypenny.

Inhumanity #1 (Marvel): I’ve always enjoyed the Inhumans, so I’ll give it a whirl. Doesn’t hurt that Fraction’s in charge. He’s been inhuman, himself, on Hawkeye and Satellite Sam. He’s fallen from “must buy” to “must try,” however, because of a questionable–though unquestionably self-gratifying–turn on Sex Criminals.

Inhumanity #1

God Is Dead #4 (Avatar): Not required reading–not by any stretch. Yeah, there’s no need “to prepare for either ascension or damnation” with this Hickman side project; see, it is what it is: Deathmatch with supernaturals. Who’ll come out on top? God only knows. But…he’s…dead… Uh oh.

The Mocking Dead #4 (Dynamite): After the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead, we all could use a little lighthearted zombie action. Trust Fred Van Lente to aim for the head as he kills off his biting satire. That’s right: a cure is just an issue away.

Rover Red Charlie #1 (Avatar): Garth Ennis, the end of days, and three dogs. What’s not to love? Speaking of love: anyone looking at this and thinking Morrison and Quitely’s We3?

Rover Red Charlie #1

Shadowman #13 (Valiant): Peter Milligan brings a new direction to Shadowman, which was pretty good in the first place. Looks like it’s gonna be a bit darker, which is perfectly fine with me.

Six-Gun Gorilla #6 (BOOM!): One issue away from immortality! Oh, yeah: we’ve loved this series from its blistering get-go—so much so thatI don’t want it to end! OK, sure, I know it has to; every story has to. Unfortunately, not every story does so well. Simon Spurrier–who proves in #5 that he understands that “[a]ll good things must come to an end” and the “[o]nly thing a story needs […] is an end”–certainly hasn’t let me down yet; though, if I’m being fair, I did find the foray into Blue’s fictional reality a bit frantic–during a head-spinning first read, anyway. Subsequent reads–yes, plural–spoke to me more clearly, and I’m damn glad they did; otherwise, I would’ve been riddled with doubt and undoubtedly inconsolable. Ah, but with #6, I get to escape one final time into Spurrier and Jeff Stokely’s brilliant assault on escapism; and, you know what, I’m going to bet that they’re going to deliver the finale that this book deserves. In fact, “I’m all-in!”